Sliding contactor switch construction



1954 G. s. ELLITHORPE SLIDING CONTACTOR SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 2, 1951 INVENTOR: GILBERT S. ELLIT HORPE 1954 G. s. ELLITHORPE SLIDING CONTACTOR SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1951 L.R.$TOP 6 gal L.E MRECTION LIGHT INVENTOR:

GILBERT S. ELLITHORPE BY BA-TTERY comm. FROM BRAKE SWITCH RRSTOP R. F, DIRECTION LIGHT FIG.H

BATTERY CONN. THROUGH FLASH ER ATT'YS Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES ERATENT OEFlCE SLIDING CONTACTOR SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Gilbert S. Ellithorpe, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Carter Parts Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois 7 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches of the type in which a contactor, mounted on a shiitable carrier, is adapted to bridge and electrically connect selective ones of a group of contacts arranged. over the surface of a common terminal board; and particularly to improvements in the form, construction, and mounting of the contactor means for such devices.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved shiftable contactor for group or unison engagement with a plurality of fixed contacts; to provide an improved mounting means for such a contactor; to provide an improved contactor capable of applying substantially equal contact pressure on each of a group of contacts, engaged in unison, regardless of variations in the relative heights of the several contacts and the effects of unequal wear on the contact surfaces, the contactor or both; to provide an improved articulating contactor; to provide an improved resilient suspension for such a contactor on the shiftable contactor carrier; to provide an improved carrier and contactor construction and assembly; and to provide a simplified carrier and contactor assembly which requires fewer parts and is more efficient in operation than'similar devices heretofore known. C

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the terminal face of a switch construction in which the improved contactor means is employed.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same as seen from the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same as taken on. line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional vie v of the same as taken on line 4-4- of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the same as taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switch of Fig. 1 with the term nal board partially broken away to show the contactors, and with one of the articulated contactor elements and its supporting springs shown in separated or exploded relation.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the articulated contactor in its engagement with contacts of varying heights.

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 1 of a modified switch having a modified form of contactor suspension.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the same, similar to Fig. 5, showing the modified contactor suspension arrangement.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional 2 view of the same as taken on line It? Q of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of tie terminal board of the switch of Fig. 8 illustrating a typical multiple circuit arrangement in which a plurality of contacts are electrically connected to a common power source, the contactors being shown'in dotted outline at the neutral switch position, and

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the contactors shifted to engage a different contact group as in a typical switching operation.

As shown in the drawings the invention is embodied in a switch construction, such as is at present employed in automotive directional nal switches, and wherein the switch housing I is of arcuate shape and contains a similarly shaped terminal board 2 having a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in two rows; the housing, terminal board, and the rows of contacts extending along circular curves having a common center.

The housing I is generally in the form of an open pan, made of suitable sheet metal, and the terminal board 2 is of a suitable dielectric sheet material formed to rest directly on the edges of the housing side walls with its margins flush with the outer surfaces of the housing side walls, the terminal board being clamped in place by suitable ears 3, projecting from the housing side walls, through notches 4 in the terminal board margins and turned inwardly over the outer face of the terminal board.

The fixed contacts, numbered 5 to 10 inclusi e, are in the form of rivets having hollow shanks which extend through the terminal board 2. The beads of the rivets are disposed on the ins de of the terminalboiard and provide the conta ts, and the hollow shanks proiect outwardly f *1 the outer side of the terminal board to prov. term nals to which the necessary conductors are attached. As shown the contact rivets are secured to the terminal board in t e usual manner, by staking the side wall material of the rivet shank over a washer, as at H, and a spacer (2, of dielectric material, having suitable openings to receive the contact rivet heads, is disposed on the inside face of the terminal board to provide a contactor slide surface substantially flush with the contact surfaces of the rivet beads.

A contactor carrier l3, curved about the same center as the housing and terminal board, is slidably mounted within the housing for movement along an arcuate path below the terminal board and this carrier containsthe several contactors by which selective ones of the several contacts are electrically connected during the switching operations. The carrier l3, as shown, has an integral post M, which projects through a slot l5 in the bottom wall of the housing, to provide means for shifting the carrier.

The contactors herein shown and described, and in relation with which this invention is primarily concerned, are of two types. The first type is a single plate contactor intended for interconnecting two or more contacts; and the second type is an articulated contactor, having two sections, also intended to interconnect two or more contacts. Both types are floating contactors mounted in suitably shaped wells formed in the face of the carrier, on the side next to the contacts, and supported on resilient spring pillars which normally urge the contactors outwardly from the carrier toward the contacts and the terminal board. Also the well for each contactor is of greater depth than the maximum space between the carrier and the contacts so that the contactors can never become bound but are always floating regardless of the position of the carrier relative to the terminal board, in the assembled structure.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, wherein six contacts are provided, the plate contactors are adapted to connect two contacts of the outer row with one contact of the inner row and the articulated contactors are adapted for connecting the three contacts of the inner row, in the neutral position of the switch, and two of such inner row contacts at each of the right and left hand switch positions. Thus the plate contactors are triangular in plan and two are provided; the left hand contactor it, referring to Fig. 1, being arranged to bridge the contacts 5, 6 and 8 when the carrier is at the end of its movement toward the right, and the right hand contactor I! being arranged to bridge the contacts 6, 1 and I!) when the carrier is moved to the left from its neutral position, the common contact 6 being on a battery connection or power source terminal. The center contact 9 of the inner row of contacts is also on a battery connection or power source terminal and, at the neutral switch position, the articulated contactor connects the contacts 8, 9 and It. When the carrier is shifted to the right the articulated contactor connects contacts 9 and It, and when the carrier is shifted to the left the articulated contactor connects contacts 8 and 9.

In the manufacture of switches having a plurality of contacts mounted on a common terminal board it is virtually impossible to have all of the contact surfaces lyingexactly in a common plane, particularly because during the staking operations the several contacts will be subjected to different pressures and will be forced into the surface of the terminal board by different amounts. This results in uneven 01' unequal contacting pressures from the contactors, during switching operations and when several contacts are engaged at the same time, in the ordinary switch constructions. The contactors, and the arrangements for mounting and supporting them, according to the present invention are intended to cure this dif ficulty.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the plate contactors l6 and I! are triangularly shaped members formed with a depending peripheral flange 25 and these members are mounted respectively in wells l8 and I9 formed in the carrier body adjacent its ends. Each plate contactor is provided with three contacting dimples, or rounded hQsses 2 I, located one in each of the three corners of the plate and projecting upwardly therefrom; and the bosses are spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the spacing of the contacts t-E and 58, or 1-5 and 7-H}, which they are intended to engage.

The wells '26, in the carrier l3, are made to be of greater depth than the space between the top surface of the carrier and the adjacent face of the spacing strip l2, when the carrier is riding on thebottom of the housing I; and the bottom of. each well is provided with countersunk sockets; 22, one below each dimple 0r boss 2!, in which. square ended helical springs 23 are seated. The springs 23 are held against lateral shifting by the sockets 22 and the contactor plate rests directly upon their upper ends, with its flange 2e! projecting slightly below the surface of the carrier when the springs 23 are fully extended.

Thus, the plate contactors are equally sup-- ported at each of their corners, directly beloweach contacting dimple, and, because of the depth. of the wells in which they are mounted, the contactors are full floating regardless of the position of the carrier in the housing and even though the carrier might be lifted, during operation, to such an extent as to ride against the spacer strip l2.

As shown the carrier 13' is provided with a plurality of slide bosses 24 on its bottom surface to minimize friction on the bottom of the housing during operation of the carrier.

The articulated contactor is disposed on the carrier 13, between the plate contactors I5 and H, substantially on the same arc as the line of contacts 8, 9 and I0, and comprises a pair of contacting elements 25 and 26 mounted end to end in overlapping relation. In the form shown the elements 25 and 26 are identical in shape and each comprises an inverted pan-like member having depending side and end flanges, the end flanges 21 and 28 being rolled or rounded at their junction with the body of the pan-like member to provide upwardly projecting transversely extending beads or ribs 29. The end flange 2? ex-- tends entirely across the end of the pan-like member and the flange 28 extends for substantially half the width of the member, and the two elements 25 and 26 are positioned end to end with the half width flanges 28 in side by side relation.

The beads or ribs 29 are spaced apart, lengthwise or" the contactor 25-26, the same distance as the spacing of the contacts 8, 9 and It. Thus, since the extent of movement of the carrier it, on either side of the middle or neutral position, is the same as the angular spacing of the contacts, the end ribs or beads of either, or both, of the elements 25 and 26 will always be engaged with two next adjacent contacts at any switch position.

The articulated contactor 2526 is mounted on the carrier [3, in a well 30, in the same manner as the plate contactors l6 and H, the well 3%] being of greater depth below the depending edges of the end flanges 27 and 28 than the space between the carrier I3 and the spacer strip l2, and the bottom of the well being formed to seat the contactor element supporting springs 31. The springs 3| are square ended, and identical with the springs 23 which support the plate contactors l6 and I1, and two such springs are disposed below each of the elements 25 and 26.

The operation of the articulated contactor in its engagement with contacts of difierent heights is illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the height difference of the contacts is shown somewhat exagaeeeior -gerated. Fromrthisview \it will be seen; that through thehingedor articulate action 1of=the -contactor;25- -26, the contacts .willfbe firmly and equally engaged eventhough all of the-contacts in theseriesareof different heights. and. regard- -less of theswitch position.

A modified arrangement for full floating support of the contactors is shown inwFigs. 8 to inclusive, wherein the .inventionisshown embodied in a switch likexthat of Fig, 1,.butwith the locationof thecontactors reversed to putthe ring dimple oriboss 32,- on -its bottom, side. located at substantiallythecenterof the; plate area; A

; single-tapered, or, conical spring"33 is disposed in the plate well directly below: thew-boss 32, the wide base ofthe spring being seated in asuitable socket in the bottomof the well and the narrow top end of the springbeing of an inside diameter to fit and'receive the bossi32.-; This central spring support, for the plate contactors not 7 only, provides a uniformrdistribution of pressure between the several contacting elements 2 I I, but also permits the contactor-,to-rock about axes running between the centers of any two'of' the contacting elements thereby resulting in positive, equal presfixed contacts regardsure engagement with the less of theirrelativerheights.

The articulated contactor; in this embodiment of the invention, as qshown=in- Figs. 8, 9 and 10,

is likewise provided with a single tapered or conical spring support foreach of its elements 25.! and 26.I the respective springs, 34 being centrally seatedin the contactor well 30.! and engaging a depending boss 35 located at the center of therespective contactor element. This single spring support permits'uniform pressure tobe exerted by each of the contacting ribs 29.! and also permits rocking of each ofthe articulating :elements to acco modate different levels of the fixed contactsurfaces.

Atypical automotive directional signal circuit, in-which the improved switchconstruction may be employed is shown inFigs: l1 and 12 to illustrate the manner in which the contactors function to connect a plurality of terminal contacts,

the contactors being arranged as in the switch of Fig. 8. As shown the center terminal contacts 6 and 9; of the two fixed contact rows, are connected to the battery or power source; contact 6- being connected to the power source through the brake switch and contact 9 through an automatic flasher. Contacts 5 and 1 lead to the Right and Left rear stop lights respectively; and contacts 8 and I!) lead to .the Right and Left front direction lights respectively. Thus, when the switch is -'in the neutral position shown in Fig. 11, the articulated contactor 25.!2E.I engages the three contacts 5, 6 and I, controlling the stoplights, so that both stop lights are under direct control of the brake switch, In this switch position the plate contactors l6.| and i'|.l are disposed on opposite sides. of the contact 9 and the contacts 8 and H! are dead.

Figure 12 shows the contactor positions when the carrier has been shifted to the right, as when a right hand turn is to be indicated. In this against movement of the carrier comprising a terminal board switch position the articulated or hinged contactor. 25.I=26.| engages contacts 6 and 1 only and the plate contactor I6.I engages contacts 5; f! and 9. Thus both the Right rear stop light and theRight front'direction light are connected to thebatteryand automatic flasher, through the terminal contact 9, while the Left rear stop light remains under direct control of the brake switch through the terminal contacts 6 and 1., A shift of the carrier to the extreme left position similarly connects the contacts 1, 9 and J0 together, through the plate contactor l1.l,' and connects contacts 5 and 5 through the contactor-261, so

that-the Right rear stop light remains under the controlv of the brake. switch.

t shall be understood that,'while this invention has been illustrated in connection with a directional signal switchof arcuate form, there is no intention to limit the invention to switches of any particular-type; and that the invention is applicable .to any 7 switch, construction wherein contactors are shifted over a pluralityof fixed --contacts forv the purpose-of connecting two or more of them together electrically.

The principal advantages of this invention reside in the improved construction and supporting arrangement of the shiftable contactors whereby more uniform engagement with the fixed contacts is obtained; and in the fact that the improved construction provides a good stable contact pressure, during all switching operations,

a with a minimum of spring pressure on the contactor elements whereby frictional resistance in the switch housing is minimized. Other primary advantages are to be found in the form and mounting arrangementof the contactors whereby they automatically accommodate themselves to various levels of contact surfaces to maintain a firm stable contact engagement at all switch positions; and in the simplified contactor and carrier construction which permits fewer parts in the switch assembly and hence a considerably lower manufacturing cost than the switch constructions heretofore used.

Although two embodiments of this invention have been herein shown and described it will be understood that details of the constructions shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a switch of the sliding contactor type comprising a terminal board having a plurality means toshift said carrier soas to move said contactors along the axis of alignment of said con- 'tacts.

2. In a switch of the sliding, contactor type having a plurality of uniformly spaced contacts on one face arranged along a common axis of alignment, and a shiftable contactor carrier mounted adjacent and parallel with said terminal board face, a pair of contactors mounted on said carrier in overlapping end to end relation and along the axis of alignment of said contacts, each contactor having a length sunicient to extend from center to center of two of said contacts, a well in said carrier opening toward said terminal board for receiving said contactors, individual spring means seated in said well below each of said contactors and normally urging them outwardly from said well independently of each other, and means to shift said carrier and move said contactors along the axis of alignment of said contacts.

3. In a switch of the sliding contactor type comprising a terminal board having a plurality of uniformly spaced contacts on one face arranged along a common axis of alignment, and a shiftable contactor carrier mounted adjacent and parallel with said terminal board face, a pair of contactors mounted on said carrier in overlapping end to end relation and along the axis of alignment of said contacts, each contactor having a length sufficient to extend from center to center of two of said contacts, a well in said carrier opening toward said terminal board for receiving said contactors in substantially parallel relation with saidterminal board, a conical coiled spring seated in said well below each of said contactors, each spring having its smaller end bearing centrally on the bottom side of the respective contactor and normally urging the contactor outwardly, each contactor being individually supported by its spring and capable of independent tilting movement, and means to shift said carrier and move said contactors along the axis of alignment of said contacts.

4. In a switch of the class described comprising a terminal board having a plurality of uniformly spaced contacts on one face arran ed along a common axis of alignment, and a shiftable contactor carrier mounted adjacent and parallel with said terminal board face, a pair of contactors mounted on said carrier in end to end relation along the axis of alignment of said contacts, said carrier having a well opening toward said terminal board and adapted to receive said contactors, a coiled spring seated in said well below each of said contactors and normally urging said contactors outwardly independently of each other, the adjacent ends of said contactors each having a projecting end flange of about one-half the contactor width and said end flanges bein in side by side overlapping relation, a contacting element on each of said contactor end flanges and on each of the opposite ends of said contactors, the contacting elements on each contactor being spaced substantially the same distance as said contacts, and means to shift said carrier to move said contactors along the axis of alignment of said contacts.

5. In a switch of the class described comprising a terminal board having a plurality of uniformly spaced contacts on one face arranged "along a common axis of alignment, and a shiftable contactor carrier mounted adjacent and parallel with said terminal board face, a pair of contactors mounted on said carrier in end to end relation along the axis of alignment of said contacts, said carrier having a well opening toward said terminal board and adapted to receive said contactors, a conical coiled spring seated in said well below each of said contactors with its smaller end engaging the contactor centrally, said springs normally urging said contactors outwardly independently of each other, a boss on the bottom side of each contactor adapted to seat in the uppermost coil of the respective spring and permit tilting movement of the contactor relative to the axis of the spring, the adjacent ends of said contactors each having a projecting end flange of about one-half the contactor width and said end flanges being in side by side overlapping relation, a contacting element on each of said contactor end flanges and on each of the opposite ends of said contactors, the contacting elements on each contactor being spaced substantially the same distance as said contacts, and means to shift said carrier to move said contactors along the axis of alignment of said contacts.

6. In a device of the class described, an articulated contactor means for engaging three equally spaced and aligned contacts in unison, and for engaging either adjacent pair of said contacts upon shifting of the contactor along the axis of contact alignment, said contactor means comprising a pair of inverted pan-like plates disposed end to end and each having depending side and end flanges, the end flanges at the adjacent ends of said plates being of substantially half the width of the plates and being disposed in side by side overlapping relation, a contacting element on each end flange of each plate, the contacting elements of each plate being spaced apart along the axis of contact alignment substantially the same as said contacts, a shiftable carrier for said contactor, and spring means on said carrier for supporting each of said plates independently of the other.

'7. In a device of the class described, an articulated contactor means for engaging three e-ual- 1y spaced and'aligned contacts in unison, and for engaging either adjacent pair of said contacts upon shifting of the contactor along the axis of contact alignment, said contactor means comprising a pair of inverted pan-like plates disposed end to end and each having depending side and end flanges, the end flanges at the adjacent ends of said plates being of substantially half the width of the plates and being disposed in side by side overlapping relation, a contacting elem nt on each end flange of each plate, the contacting elements of each plate being spaced apart along the axis of contact alignment substantially the same as said contacts, a shiftable carrier for said contactor, an outwardly opening well in said carrier for receiving said contactor, and a conical coiled spring seated in said well below each plate and having its smaller end centrally engaging the bottom side of the plate to support the same tiltably and independently of the other plate, said springs normally urging said plates outwardly from said well, and the flanges of said plates normally extending into said well to retain said plates against lateral displacement.

GILBERT S. ELLITHORPE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,303,693 Hill Dec. 1, 1942 2,528,035 Clayton Oct. 31, 1950 2,531,377 Lawson Nov. 21, 1950 2,604,560 Dibelka July 22, 1952 

